Island



(No Model.) 2.Sheets Sheet 1.

W. WEEKS.

FLUID PRESSURE REGULATOR- m my a 1. a t I E E/ V ted Jan. 11,1898.-

' JZ WTWZEAS.

ms co. Faovauma, wnwnm'cs. n c,

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. W. WEEKS. FLUID PRESSURE REGULATOR.

win/5022; Zm/wzfar.

MQ/ I 4/0 Walk-5 UNITED STATES Parent @rrrcn.

JOHN W. IVEEKS, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT ANDMEFNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO AMES G. WARREN, OF SAME PLACE.

FLUID-PRESSURE REGULATQR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 597,250, dated January11, 1898.

Application filed September 16, 1896. Serial No. 605,987. (No model-3 Toall whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. lVEEKs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State 5 of RhodeIsland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inPressure-Reducing Valves; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had. to the accompanying drawings, and to lettersof reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic pressure-regulatingdevices; and it consists in certain details of construction, ashereinafter fully described and claimed. The object of my invention isto produce an automatic pressure-regulator possessing greater rangesbetween the maximum and minimum or inletand outlet sides of theapparatus, the device at the same time being comparatively simple andcapable of maintaining a high degree of efficiency.

In the accompanying two sheets of drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevationof my improved automatic pressure-reducing valve complete. Fig. 2 is anenlarged longitudinal section taken through the center of the valveproper, the valve being wide open. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectiontaken on line at m of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a front elevation, in partialsection, taken online y y of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a similar section takenthrough the hub of the quadrant-lever and valve-stem. Fig. i is apartial front view showing the relation of the quadrant-lever andsafety-lever when the first-named lever is at its lowest position,corresponding to a wide-open position of the valve. Fig. 7 is a sideview of the quadrantlever and the flexible bands or connections adaptedto be secured to the diaphragm-spindle. Fig. Sis a vertical sectiontaken through the center of the diaphragm and the casing in which it ismounted, and also showing'a modified form of the safety device. Fig. 9is a plan view of the same in reduced scale. Fig. 10 is a side elevationof the valve, &c., detached from the valve body or housing,corresponding to Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is an end view of the angular orbeveled face of one of the parts of the valve. Fig. 12 is a side viewshowing the relation of the two parts of the valve proper when it iswide open, the valveseat being omitted. Fig. 13 is a similar viewshowing the valve nearly closed. Fig. 14: shows it fully closed orseated. Fig. 15 is a longitudinal central sectional View, correspondingto Fig. 2, showing a modified form of the valve; and Figs. 16 and 17 arefront views of the operating and safety levers employed in thearrangement shown in Fig. 8.

Again referring to the drawings, A indicates my improvedautomatically-operating pressure reducing regulator complete, itssupporting parts or frame being of any suitable construction adapted tocarry the operating mechanism.

The device is as drawn provided with a suitable flexible circulardiaphragm a, (shown sectionally in Fig. 8,) having its outer edgeclamped to the bottom ofthe casing a, inclosing the diaphragm, thelatter being secured to a central spindle or rod 0, mounted verticallyin and extending through the top of the casing. The said spindle 0 movesin unison with the diaphragm and carries at its upper end the levers,&c., soon to be described, through which the action of the valve properis automatically controlled.

The valve portion of my improved pressure-reducing apparatus consists ofthe globe or body Z), communicating with an inlet-pipe 2, adapted to beconnected to a tank or other source containing the gas, air, or fluidunder high or maximum pressure, which expansive medium in passingthrough the regulating device constituting a part of my invention isautomatically reduced in pressure to any predetermined degree. The saidvalve portion also compriscs the two-part valve 13, the-latter being thevalve proper and consisting of the revoluble head part or member (Z andthe longitudinallymovable non revoluble part cl. The adjacent faces ffof said parts (Z and d of the valve are cut at an angle or spirally, asclearly shown. The said spiral faces are grooved and are kept normallysepa rated by means of the antifriction-balls f mounted in said grooves.One part of the valve is provided with'a central extension,

as f Fig. 2, the same being fitted to a corresponding hole formed in theother member of the valve, thus forming a support therefor. I prefer,however, to arrange these parts substantially as represented in Fig. 15,wherein a ball f is interposed between the adjacent ends, thus adaptingthe valve within fixed limits to automatically accommodate itself to thevalve-seat 12 In order to prevent the forward part or member d of thevalve B from axial movement, I provide a longitudinal groove 61 thereinadapted to receive the end of a fixed screw or pin 61 (See Figs. 2 and11.) Thus it will be seen that while the valve part d is free to moveendwise or longitudinally it is at the same time kept from axialmovement. The other part or rear member 01 of the valve B is secured toor made integral with the stem 2, the same extending outwardly throughthe packing-head e, screwed into the corresponding end of the body I).The said member e is provided with a stufling-box and gland e for thevalve-stem, substantially as common. The valve-member d is as drawncapable of being rotated a partial revolution, but is prevented fromendwise movement. In order to adapt it to withstand the great pressureor endwise thrust to which the valve may at times be subjected, I preferto interpose an antifriction or ball bearing e between the adjacentfaces of the parts cl and e, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

A seat-carrying fitting or cap I) is screwed into the globe or body I).The high-pressure or inlet pipe 2 enters this fitting 19 com municationbetween the latter and the valvechamber being through the small hole orpassage 19 formed in the center of the valveseat 19 It will be observed(see Fig. 2) that a spring 5 is interposed between the valve and seatmembers d and b the same being employed for keeping. the adjacentgrooved faces ff" of the valve in snug contact at all times with theballs or antifriction members f thereby also keeping the latter in theproper relation to each other.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the valve is ever ready towithstand the maximum or high pressure flowing through pipe 11, plus theforce of the spring 5. Therefore the work required of theautomatically-operating valvecontrolling mechanism, about to bedescribed, is to close the valve against said pressure, to a greater orless extent, according to the volume of gas (or other medium passingthrough the open valve from pipe 1') being used or consumed.

The valve-body b is provided at the bottom side with a nozzle b, intowhich is screwed a pipe h, which in turn is secured to a tubularconnection h, fixed to the base of the diaphragm-casing a. The saidconstruction not only forms a continuously-open communication from thevalve to the diaphragm, but is also utilized as a support for thevalve-operating mechanism.

Referring to Fig. 1, it is seen that the horizontally-mounted valve-steme is provided with a quadrant-shaped lever g, to which are securedoppositely-arranged flexible metallic bands or connections is, the endsit thereof being enlarged and fixed to the diaphragm carrying spindle c.Fig. 7 shows the arrangement of said connections 7.: in enlarged scale.As drawn, the center part of,th'e lever g is elongated on one side toform the hub 9, (see also Fig. 3,) the latter being provided with asemigroove g its length peripherally being substantially equal to theangular move ment of the lever, and since the lever is secured to thevalve-stem by a set-screw g (shown in Fig. 3) it follows that thevalvestem will always vibrate in unison with the movements of thediaphragm, the construction being such that the movements of the partsare effected without play or lost motion. The spindle cis arranged to beweighted on top by adjustable weights 10, whereby in conjunction withthe working area of the diaphragm the pressure of the gas issuing fromthe outlet or discharge pipe h may be regulated or controlled. The lowerhead of the diaphragm-holder a is elongated, (see a ,Fig.

, 8,) thereby forming an added support for the spindle c and its groovedpiston 0 and when filled with a fluid, as water, it also serves toprevent too sudden changes or fluctuations taking place in thediaphragms movement.

The following is a description of the safety device: Itconsistssubstantially of the lever 19, loosely mounted on the hub g of thequadrantlever. The safety-lever p is provided with a semigroove the sameforming practically the counterpart of said groove g of the lever-hub g.A rolling key ,2 is interposed between said grooves, as clearly shown inFigs. 3 to 6. From the side of the diaphragmcasing (see Fig. 1) abracket 0 extends, in which a tripping-lever n is pivoted at n. Thelower end of the lever bears upon a safety valve or plug-v, extendingthrough the top of the casing. The opposite end of this lever isprovided with a hook 02 adapted to engage the adjacent end of said lever19. The other arm of the latter lever carries an adjustable weight 19'.Now in order to relieve the valvestem from the weight of thesafety-lever when the valve B is open and in normal action I provide afixed standard 0, forked at its upper end to receive the lever p,thusforming a guide and support for it. The upper part of the standard isbroken away (see Fig. 1) so as to show the lever resting firmly thereinat o. I may add that the center hole or fulcrum formed in the lever p issomewhat larger than the diameter of the hub g.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the normal movements of thediaphragm within fixed limits will be unaffected by the safety-lever,since the groove g of the quadrant-hub is sufficiently longcircumferentially to allow of such movements; but in case the pressurein the diaphragm chamber should se'aaeo a exceed the predeterminedpressure from any cause such pressure will force the valve or plug voutwardly, thereby elevating lever n and releasing the safety-lever, atwhich instant the weight 2)" thereof causes the lever to swingrearwardly on its pivot or fulcrum, thereby,too,at the same time onusing the round key 2 in its movement to engage the upper end of thehub-groove the momentum of the-weight, 850., then operating to rotatethe lever g and valve-stem e in the same direction until the valve 13 isfully closed against the seat 5 thereby automatically shutting off thesupply of gas from the valve.

It is to be borne in mind that the valve 13 when in its normal positionis open more or less according to the volume of gas being used andpassing through the outlet-pipe 7L2. Therefore the function of thesafety device is to always close the valve.

In Figs. Sand 9 I have represented a modified form of the device fortransmitting the movements of the diaphragm a to the valvestem e. Inthis case a lever r, in lieu of the quadrantdever, is secured to saidstem. To the extensionor bracket 0 is fulcrumed at 9' an operating-leverZ, the same being jointed to the diaphragm-spindle c by a link 0 and tothe free end of said lever r bya similar link or connection a". Theopposite arms of the lever Z are provided with suitable adjustableweights From this construction and arrangement it is obvious that thevalvestem e and the valve B will move concurrently with and by theaction of the diaphragm. I may add, however, that this device issomewhat objectionable from the fact that it consists of a greaternumber of parts and joints. Therefore it is not so sensitive or capableof responding to the diaphragms movements so readily as the arrangementshown in Fig. 1. Y

The safety device shown in Fig. 1 is substantially the same asrepresented in Fig. 8. In the latter the stem e itself is provided witha semigroove g the safety -lever 19 being loosely fitted to the stem andhaving a corres'ponding groove 3 and also having the interposed key orroll 2. (See Figs. 2 and 17.) This lever p has a notch therein arrangedto receive one end ofthe supportingtie 'v, the other end resting in thesafety-plug 0;, let into the side of the casing-chamber a. The free endof the lever 19 carries a sliding weight 1). From this it will beapparent that, as in the former case, when the pressure in the diaphragmchamber exceeds the predetermined limit such pressure will force theplug c from its seat, thus freeing the lever-supporting tie c, afterwhich the weighted lever p instantly falls, thereby rotating thevalvestem and closing the valve B, substantially as before described.

In my improved automatic pressure-reduc in g valve or apparatus thevalve proper, B, is normally open, the action of the device being toclose the valve to a greater or less extent.

When wide open, the position of the valve 13 is substantially as shownin Figs. 2 and 12, the interposed balls f keeping the adjacent beveledfaces ff separated at all times. As the part (Z of the valve is capableof rotation, but is prevented from moving longitudinally, it followsthat any axial movement thereof in the arrow direction will force theother or non-revoluble member (1 endwise a corresponding extent. Fig. 10shows the valve partly closed, Fig. 13 nearly closed, and Fig. 14 fullyclosed. The springs is omitted from all of said figures except Fig. 2.

By means of my invention I have produced a valve in which the regulationis effected and controlled from the low-pressure or discharge sidethereof. It is more sensitive to changes in pressures and volume thanreducing-valves hitherto made. In fact, it can be adjusted so as to workperfectly against a head or pressure of several hundred pounds when theoutlet-pressure required is only a small fraction of a pound. By makingthe opposed beveled working faces f f of the two parts (Z d of the valveB substantially like sections of a, double screw-thread, combined v Awith antifriction or rolling members located between and in contact withsaid faces, a comparatively small angular movement of the valve-stemwill cause the endwise movable member d to travel an increased distance,thereby insuring quick action. In opening the valve B, as well as inclosing it, the spring 3 serves to keep the several parts thereof innormal relation to one another.

In myimproved pressure-reducing apparatus it will be seen that the valveproper is adapted to positively close the inlet-opening Z2 automaticallythrough the medium of the safety device, the counterweight thereofserving to keep the valve closed and prevent it from being reopeneduntil the parts are again readjusted or set-that is to say, assumingthat the inlet-pipe 'i is connected with a reservoir containing illuminating-gas under considerable pressure and that the outlet or servicepipe h conducts the gas, reduced in pres sure, to a series of burners.Now in case the pressure on the diaphragm exceeds the predeterminedworking limit the safety device is automatically brought into action,thereby instantly closing the valve and extinguishing the burninggas-jets and preventing the further flow of gas.

I do not claim, broadly, as my invention an apparatus for automaticallyregulating the flow of gas or fluid passing through a valve by means ofpressure exerted against a diaphragm.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by United States LettersPatent 1. In an automatic pressure-regulating device, the combinationwith the inlet-valve having its stem portion made in two parts, as d, d,the adjacent end faces of said parts being parallel and inclined andhaving antifriction-balls interposed between them, of a IIO mounteddiaphragm communicating freely With said valve, and a system of leversand connections interposed between and secured to the said valve-stemand diaphragm, substantially as hereinbcfore described and for thepurpose set forth.

2. In an automatic pressure-regulating apparatns, a suitable inclosedmovable diaphragm,a valve-casin ghavin g inlet and outlet openings,corresponding to the high and low pressure sides respectively, thelow-pressure side communicating with said diaphragm, a valve movablymounted in said casing, comprising the endwise-movable spring-resistedpart d adapted to keep saidinlet-opening normally open, theaxially-movable stem-carrying part (Z, and having the adjacent ends 01'faces of the parts (1 dinclined to form spiral Wedges havingantifriction -balls between them, a series of suitably-mounted balls 6forming a thrust-bearing for the stem part d, and an operating-leversecured to the valvestem and actuated by the diaphragms movements,incombination with a Weighted safetylever, and a releasing deviceconnected with said safety-lever and made operative by pres-' sureWithin the diaphragm-chamber, whereby upon releasing the safety-leverthe latter will engage the said operating-lever, the combined action ofboth levers then operating to close or seatthe valve, substantially ashereinbefore described.

3. In an automatic pressure-regulating apparatus, provided with a valve,an operatinglever secured to the valve-stem having a semigrooveextending a distance around its hub, a safety-lever loosely mounted onthe said operating-lever having a semigroove formed in the bore of thesafety-lever and located contiguous t0 the said groove of theoperatinglever and forming a curved space or chamber,

a key or roll 2' mounted in said space and in engagement with both ofsaid grooves, and means for controlling the movements of said levers,substantially as hereinbefore described and for the purpose set forth.

4L. In an automatic pressure-regulating apparatus, a suitably-mountedmovable flexible diaphragm, a guided spindle secured to said diaphragm,and a valve for controlling the admission of gas, air, &c., under highpressure to the apparatus, in combination with a curved orquadrant-shaped operatinglever secured to the valve-stem, and flexibleconnections, as 70, fastened both to the operating-lever and to the saiddiaphragm-spindle, whereby one or the other of said connections kis intension at all times, substantially as described.

5. In an automatic pressure-regulating apparatus, the combination withthe valve-casing thereof provided with inlet and outlet passages for theair, gas or other expansible medium employed, of an endWise-movablenon-revoluble valve member d adapted to close said inlet-passage, arevoluble but nonlongitudinally-movable fellow'member 61 co acting withthe first-named valve member, the adjacent faces of said members d clbeing cut spirally and separated by an antifriction medium, as balls, avalve-stem e fixed to said member 61 extending through the valve-casing,and means for controlling the movements of the valve mounted on thevalve-stem, substantially as hereinbefore described and for the purposeset forth.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twoWitnesses.

JOHN W. WVEEKS.

\Vitnesses:

GEO. H. REMINGTON, REMINGTON SHERMAN.

